16 | April 5, 2018 | The Northbrook tower news northbrooktower.com Northbrook-based attorney publishes book on estate planning Alan P. Henry Freelance Reporter The challenge, as Eric Matlin saw it, was to write a how-to handbook on the dry-as-dust subject of estate planning that was not just comprehensive, as many such books are, but also approachable and fun to read, which are not descriptors typically associated with such a topic. The reason for such a strategy: “the best book to help you learn about estate planning is one you will actually read,” said Matlin, an attorney whose Northbrook-based practice has concentrated on estate planning for 28 years. To that end, the Winnetka resident has authored “Not Dead Yet” (Ozanam Publishing), a serious, A to Z, estate-planning handbook that also includes a 110- page hand-drawn graphic novel that demonstrates the kind of nightmares that occur when people of any age do not plan for life’s uncertainties. Each of “Not Dead Yet’s” 24 chapters is preceded by a comic book-style vignette, often relating to the text that follows. “Together, they tell the story of Don, his family and his friends, and why estate planning is important, even to those who cannot fathom why they would need it, now or ever,” Matlin said. “You’ll recognize parts of Don’s story in yourself or in people you’ve known. You may even come to realize the urgency of putting your wishes to paper.” Matlin, who wrote the book over the course of eight years while at his second home in South Haven, Mich., hopes the book will relate to many. “No matter who you are, you will see yourself somewhere in the pages of ‘Not Dead Yet,’” Matlin said. Matlin’s core philosophy is that estate planning benefits everyone, regardless of age, health or economic circumstances, and “Not Dead Yet,” both through the text and the graphic novel, demonstrates a continuum of needs for people of all ages, including: • The college student whose power of attorney for health and HIPAA authorization may help ameliorate a catastrophic situation for parents. • The new parents needing a will to name a guardian who determines their child’s living arrangements. • The blended family needing a trust to avoid one side of the family being left out • The typical needs of the affluent, elderly, ill and those with special needs. Matlin believes the unique approach appeals to younger readers who would never consider reading a book on the subject. “Some people can read by text, some people like the visual,” Matlin said. “I was always into comics. I wanted to expand the demographic of people who need estate planning but don’t realize they need it. I asked, ‘how can I appeal to younger people?’ Through a comic book.” The graphic novel was a collaborative effort between Matlin and graphic artists Troy Locker Palmer and Gabriel Bautista. People of all ages, he said, need to understand that “life is not a calendar item.” To those who don’t plan ahead, he warns: “decisions are going to be made by other people, not the people that you would necessarily choose. What we want to do is keep the courts out of people’s lives. Not doing this is in itself a decision, because by not doing it everything is by formula and court involvement.” In “Not Dead Yet,” Matlin offers a user’s guide of sorts. Similar to a dining guide listing prices in restaurants, chapters are marked with different numbers of $ signs. The more a person is worth, the more closely he should look at chapters with the increasing numbers of $ signs. Chapter 8, on health care and financial powers of attorney, living will and HIP- PA authorization, is marked by a “cent,” and should be read by all, because “it just makes good sense.” Matlin singles out Chapter 18 as a must-read for anyone who views estate planning as an opportunity to charitably spread the wealth around for the “greater good.” Matlin is a graduate of DePaul University and The John Marshall Law School. He has written estate plans for thousands of families, ranging from people with a negative net worth to people worth more than $10 million. His first book on estate planning, The Procrastinator’s Guide to Wills and Estate Planning (Penguin Group), was published in 2004. Eric Matlin, an attorney whose Northbrook-based practice has concentrated on estate planning for 28 years, recently published “Not Dead Yet,” a serious, A to Z, estate-planning handbook that also includes a 110-page hand-drawn graphic novel. Alan P. Henry/22nd Century Media Sales of “Not Dead Yet” are supporting various charities, including The Josselyn Center in Northfield, a community mental health resource provider of which he is a board member. Matlin also volunteers for CJE Senior Life at Lieberman Center, and enjoys the Chicago Botanic Garden and practicing his ukulele. He also gives estate planning seminars to interested groups and is available for public speaking engagements. Matlin and his wife Gloria, a Glencoe-based realtor, raised their two children in Glencoe and have been married for 42 years. Matlin’s book has been commended by numerous high-profile industry professionals, among them estate planning experts and authors Jane Bryant Quinn and Natalie Choate. “Not Dead Yet” can be found through amazon.com and notdeadyetbook.net. Retired teacher, former Northbrook resident pens fictional book set at school Available at The Book Bin in Northbrook Eric DeGrechie Managing Editor During his 31 years of teaching in Wilmette, Jack Spangenberger enjoyed switching up schools now and again. Whether at Central, Harper or McKenzie elementary schools, or Highcrest Middle Spangenberger School, the New Jersey native was busy learning just as much as his students. “I wasn’t as familiar with the neighborhoods,” said Spangenberger, who raised his family in Northbrook. “It was a lot of fun.” Spangenberger, who retired in 2002, recently penned his first book of fiction, “Takeover.” At 220 pages, it tells the story of what happened when a group of fifth-graders took over their school one day. “I started the idea of this book in the 1980s. It was like a pipe dream, really,” Spangenberger said. “I did write things down from time to time. I kept the notes in a file.” When he retired, Spangenberger decided to write a non-fiction book about his travels in Fairbanks, Alaska. While camping there with his two sons, he would write down notes about each day’s activities. Spangenberger would later flesh the notes out into a book. While pleased with that endeavor, he knew it was time to finish “Takeover.” “It was a completely different experience. One was, grossly put, a regurgitation of what I did, including feelings and the romance I had in my mind about the wonders of Alaska,” Spangenberger said. “Writing fiction is a creative activity and very different. It was more difficult, but also much more rewarding for me.” Though the name of the school where the action takes place in “Takeover” is Central, like the Wilmette school, much of the similarities end there as indicated by a map included in the story with a very different school layout. The Please see book, 18
northbrooktower.com northbrook the northbrook tower | April 5, 2018 | 17 The “Spring Market “is in Full Bloom! SOLD IN JUST DAYS ON MARKET SOLD WITH MULTIPLE OFFERS SOLD IN JUST DAYS ON MARKET 2163 Ivy Ridge Dr. | Hoffman Estates 4504 LIndenwood Ln. |Northbrook 7417 Clem Dr. |Gurnee UNDER CO<strong>NT</strong>RACT IN 1WEEK WITH MULTIPLE OFFERS UNDER CO<strong>NT</strong>RACT IN 8DAYSWITH MULTIPLE OFFERS 7539 Laramie Ave. |Skokie 141 Arrowwood Dr. |Northbrook Spring may just be starting, but the real estate market is in full bloom. If you are thinking of buying or selling your home, give me acall. You’ll be glad you did! Cell (847) 217-9599 Experience YouTrust, CareYou Deserve Marsha Schwartz Marsha@MarshaSchwartz.com www.MarshaSchwartz.com Northbrook, IL The property information herein is derived from various sources that may include, but not be limited to, county records and the Multiple Listing Service, and it may include approximations. Although the information is believed to be accurate, it is not warranted and you should not rely upon it without personal verification. Real estate agents affiliated with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage are independent contractor agents and are not employees of the Company.©2018 Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Owned by asubsidiary of NRTLLC. Coldwell Banker and the Coldwell Banker Logo are registered service marks owned by Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC.
Change language